Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, August 12, 1995 TAG: 9508140129
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
In meetings to study two proposals by the Virginia High School League's reclassification and restructuring committee, those two regions favored Plan II, which will basically leave Timesland schools aligned as they are except for shifting the Blue Ridge District into Region IV with Blacksburg and Christiansburg as new members.
The 12 regions composing the VHSL are to meet and discuss the two proposals. Plan I does not allow schools to play above their classification level while Plan II permits them to move up.
Schools in Region C, which is Group A in classification, also asked to put Parry McCluer back into the Pioneer District. In Plan II, Parry McCluer was switched into the Skyline District of Region B.
Administrators from Parry McCluer originally said they weren't opposed to jumping to Region B when it appeared that Covington and Bath County were also making the move. When those two schools remained in Region C, Parry McCluer re-evaluated its situation and won the approval to ask the restructuring committee to leave it in the Pioneer District.
In the Group AA Region III meeting, according to a poll, it was 14-12 in favor of Plan II. The Blue Ridge District voted 6-0 in favor of Plan I.
VHSL Executive Director Ken Tilley attended both meetings. He informed the principals that when schools were polled before the two plans were drawn up, 238 favored permitting schools to play up in classification (Plan II) if they so desired.
``With that kind of indication,'' said Gretna principal W.C. Scruggs, the Region III secretary, ``Plan I can't be adopted. That would fly in the face of everything people said they wanted.''
Tilley agreed. ``The committee drew up the plans hoping the schools would see the rationale [of Plan I] and that if the actual districts were drawn up, they might favor it. That hasn't happened. There are strong indications that Plan II is in the lead.''
The remaining battle seems to be not where the Blue Ridge District will play, but which schools will join Blue Ridge members Salem, Lord Botetourt, Northside and William Byrd. Both plans call for an eight-team district that includes Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Alleghany and Rockbridge County to play in Region IV.
Tilley and the committee seemed to think that was the best scenario and they haven't wavered despite protests from Region IV schools in far southwest Virginia and from Alleghany and Rockbridge County about lengthy travel to Blacksburg and Christiansburg.
``I want to look at some different scenarios and compare them,'' said Tilley. ``I still haven't changed my opinion. Unless something else comes up that would be more acceptable and justifiable, it appears to be satisfactory.''
When Region IV met last week, it pulled Christiansburg principal George Porterfield off the VHSL reclassification committee and tried to replace him with Marion's Mike Rolen. Region IV schools were upset because Porterfield wants his school in the Blue Ridge District.
Tilley refused to take Porterfield off the committee.
``I responded by saying that since he [Porterfield] had been appointed by me, it was my decision [along with Northwood principal Craig Barbrow, who heads the committee] not to remove him. They [schools in Region IV] are certainly welcome to attend the committee meeting as is anyone. But George will be able to convey the preferences of Region IV to the committee, whether he votes with them,'' said Tilley.
In the votes, both Laurel Park and Fieldale-Collinsville, Group AA schools with Group A enrollments, voted for Plan I that would have forced them to drop in classification to a new league in Region C. That meant both were willing to leave their long-time association in the Piedmont District.
This was a change for these schools and part of it might have stemmed from the fact that new Martinsville principal DeWitt House assured the committee that his schools will continue to play any Henry County schools that drop to Group A in football.
Glenvar apparently is headed to the Three Rivers District in Region C, changing from the Pioneer District. In both plans, the Highlanders made the switch and in voting, the principals didn't ask for a change.
Whichever plan is adopted starting with the 1996-97 school year, it will be in effect for three years so that this state will be aligned with North Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia in the years that those states change football schedules.
by CNB